Behavioral addiction has become rampant in our society today. Most of us are addicted to at least one behavior. We are addicted to the Internet. We spend hours playing games online, binge-watching TV, checking our work emails, watching Tik Toks, and obsessing over our Instagram likes and views. There are hardly any of us that can go a week without a smartphone. Most people would rather suffer physical harm than have their phones taken from them for an extended period.
In this bite-sized book, renowned author and professor of psychology Adam Alter shares his research on addictive behaviors, a troubling phenomenon of modern times. Alter explains the upward trend of child and adult addictive behaviors, examining how they started, how they are designed, the psychological tricks technological designers employ to make us addicts, and strategies to adopt to minimize dangerous behavioral addictions.
“Addiction originally meant a different kind of strong connection: in ancient Rome, being addicted meant you had just been sentenced to slavery.” ~ Adam Alter
The biased societal stigmatization of addicts and why it’s unfair
Listen the first key point
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Our understanding of addiction is too narrow because we tend to think of addiction as only experienced by certain people — those we label as addicts. This label implies that they are different from the rest of us. They may one day rise above their addictions, but for now, they belong in this category. In truth, addiction is primarily produced by the environment and circumstances.
Addictive behaviors have existed for a long time, but they’ve become more common, harder to resist, and more mainstream in recent years.
New addictions don’t involve the direct introduction of chemicals into the body system, but they produce the same effects because they are irresistible and well-designed. Addictions like gambling and exercise are old, and some are relatively new, like binge-viewing and smartphone use. But they have all become progressively more challenging to resist.
The societal definition of addicts is based on one school of thought that depicts addictions are meant for those labeled as “addicts or junkies.” This stigma placed on these certain sets of people automatically distinguishes them from society at large. Addiction is generally caused by environmental factors, genetic factors, and repetitive exposure.
Nobody is immune to addiction. Everyone is one step away from one behavioral addiction or another.
Addiction has been in existence from the onset, but it has become more prominent and profound in
recent times.
Indeed, behavioral addictions and substance addictions are very similar. They activate the same brain chemicals and are ignited by the same needs, such as societal relevance, mental stimulation, and confidence boost. If these needs are stripped away from people, they’re more likely to develop behavioral and substance addictions.
Throughout this summary, we will address how to coexist with addictive activities that form our everyday lives without allowing them to take over. We will discover how to recognize addictive behaviors and mitigate their effects on happiness and wellbeing.
second key point
The birth of behavioral addictions has created a common problem
A modern societal definition of “addiction” stigmatizes addiction as a very bad character. Behavior is only said to be harmful and addictive if it causes extreme disruption and negative effects on a person’s life or those around them.
"Irresistible" delves into the pervasive influence of addictive technology on our lives, exploring how it captivates our attention and shapes our behaviors. Drawing on extensive research, Adam Alter exposes the strategies employed by tech companies to keep us hooked, from social media platforms to video games. With alarming insights, he reveals the psychological and societal consequences of our increasing reliance on these addictive technologies, urging us to regain control and find a healthier balance in the digital age.
Who should read Irresistible
Technology users seeking to understand the psychological impact of addictive apps.
Business professionals interested in the strategies behind addictive technology.
Parents and educators concerned about the effects of technology on children.
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Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.
Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.